When I woke up this morning, most of the news channels were reporting and acknowledging today, November 11, as being Veterans Day. Men and women will be recognized and honored today for their past and present services to the United States Armed Forces. If you are one of those persons who have sacrificed and served or continue to serve our great country, we honor and salute you today. Veterans Day honors all military veterans, including those still with us. 

Veterans Day was originally celebrated as Armistice Day, and was first designated on November 11, 1919 by President Woodrow Wilson a year after the end of World War I.  The purpose of Armistice Day was to honor the fallen soldiers during World War I. It is now a federal holiday in the United States observing military veterans, all who have served in the military. Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day in 1954 at the urging of major U.S. veteran organizations.

Men and women who serve in the military are often overlooked, neglected, forgotten, and treated unfairly. Just imagine the sacrifice the many men and women have made to ensure that the United States is safe, secure and at peace. We can’t do anything but take great pride in knowing these men and women who were and are willing to give their lives for the United States of America.

Like everything else, things of beauty and respect have a tendency of losing its flavor and disappearing. There was a time when the uniform worn by a military person was stunning and inspiring. I can remember when young women would see a man in a military uniform and just become thrilled and excited. There was something about the bravery and courage of someone who was willing to give everything up to serve their country, and look good while doing so. I must admit that when our brothers returned home adorned in their well-polished, shiny shoes, creased pants and jackets, starched shirts and caps, my enthusiasm for the military increased, but not to the point that I enlisted. These men represented the look of a human being perfected in his outer appearance.

Women for a long time were not acknowledged or recognized as significantly as men for their military services. Today we are proud to honor both men and women equally for their services. Women are even high-ranking officers in the military. I am so proud of my sister-in-law, Lieutenant Colonel Lametra Slade who served in Iraq. Can you imagine women with two or three children having to leave their children, husbands, etc. to go and serve? Of course, the same holds true for the men.

Please take time today to reach out and show some love and encouragement to a veteran. There are so many brave men and women whose names we could call out today, but I would personally like to acknowledge Mother Mary Lucille Pitt who is now over 100 years old and retired from the military. I can’t even imagine what military life for a woman during her tenure was like.

May God bless all of our veterans today. As I thought about our veterans, my mind wandered to the Old Testament where the Israelites fought for freedom and peace. As they went into battle, they often called on God for help.

We are very familiar with some of the warriors in the Bible, such as Saul, Jonathan, David, Samson, Gideon and Joshua to name a few. There is a woman by the name of Deborah who is worthy of acknowledging as a judge, prophetess and military leader. If you are familiar with Deborah, you may recall that it was a man, Barak, who asked her to go into battle with her. There is one verse that says it all, Barak, told her, “I will go, but only if you go with me.” “Very well, she replied. I will go with you. But you will receive no honor in this venture, for the Lord’s victory over Sisera will be at the hands of a woman” (Judges 4: 8-9). Please take time to read the entire chapter for the full essence of the story.

I have spoken to a few veterans already today and they are pleased and excited to receive the many discounts offered and afforded them on this holiday. In my opinion, no discount is enough for the sacrifices made by veterans.

“There is a time for war and a time for peace” (Ecclesiastes 3:8b).

Things may appear to be a little off kilter and out of sorts in the United States of America, but give God thanks for peace. 

Not a sermon, just my thoughts!

Robert Earl Slade, Pastor